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While a raised porch is a great place to hang out in pleasant weather and for container plants, the area underneath can become a breeding ground for weeds. The growth under the porch also attracts feral animals such as raccoons and opossums. A landscape barrier can help keep the porch area free of weeds. Available at garden stores, they smother weeds and help keep the porch area tidy.

1

Remove the weeds from under the porch. The method you use to do this may depend on the height of the porch and if you are not afraid of crawling underneath it. Use a rake and a shovel to remove all of the vegetation and any debris.

2

Check the area for rocks, pebbles or twigs once you finish removing the weeds. Use the rake to clear those out.

3

Measure the area underneath the porch with a tape measure. Get the length and width measurements and multiply them together to get the square footage. This will help you determine how much landscape barrier material to purchase.

4

Purchase landscape plastic or landscape fabric. These items are easy to find in any in any well-stocked gardening store. Landscape plastic is black and made of polypropylene. It prevents any penetration of air, water or light, effectively smothering anything beneath it. Landscape fabric is porous synthetic material. It also prevents light and keeps weeds from germinating.

5

Unroll the landscape barrier material underneath the raised porch. Use bricks or cinder blocks to hold it in place after you spread it out enough to cover the area underneath the porch. Cut away the excess material using a box cutter.

6

Insert anchor pins in each corner. After pinning the corners, insert an anchor pin every few feet on the edge of the barrier material between each corner to securely fasten the perimeter of the fabric or plastic. Remove the bricks or cinder blocks.

7

Cover the landscape barrier with 2 to 3 inches of mulch. This helps to keep the rest of the barrier secure and prevents weeds from growing through the barrier. The mulch should completely cover the landscape barrier.

8

Check the decomposition of the mulch every month and replace it when it starts to decompose. Otherwise, weeds will sprout in it.

9

Replace the landscape barrier with new material when it begin to deteriorate, to prevent weeds from growing underneath your porch.

About the Author

Lauren Miller has more than 10 years of experience as a writer and editor. Her articles on technology, small business and legal topics have appeared in magazines, newspapers and trade journals. She has a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and is an avid gardener and sports fan.